Mayor Bill Eaton vetoed Wednesday a preliminary plat for a proposed subdivision which was approved unanimously by the Russellville City Council last week.

Eaton confirmed the late-afternoon decision, and a memo from his offices explained his reasoning.

"As a Council you voted in favor of the developer over the recommendation and concerns of City Staff and the Planning Commission," the memo stated.

"The process of recommending and enforcing those things that are for the good of the city as a whole in the long run has always fallen to the Council. The problem with that is for the Council to withstand the appeal of the present over the the good of the city for the long run. When the disadvantage falls to the city in the long run I stand opposed."

Aldermen have called a council meeting for 7 p.m. today, at which they are expected to override the veto.

Wednesday's action was the latest in the saga concerning the proposed Overland Park subdivision which has continued since September. At that time, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposal for the 80-plus unit subdivision in southwest Russellville, bordered by West 12th Street to the south, Camelot Village subdivision to the west and Brookside Estates to the north.

The plan included entrances to the subdivision at West 12th Street and South Durant Avenue.

Conflicting interests between the developer, area residents and city administration quickly arose. Public Works Director Michael Oakes and City Planner David Harris advocated adding a third connection to an existing stub on Camelot Drive, as well as an underground storm drainage system.

The developer and residents of Camelot Village resisted the added connection, while residents of Brookside Estates voiced concerns over increased traffic in their neighborhood.

A motion at the Planning Commission's September meeting failed to garner enough votes to pass. Only five commissioners were present at that meeting.

Commissioners considered the matter again in October, this time with all commissioners present. A motion was passed unanimously to accept the proposal with the condition a stub be extended to Camelot Drive. That decision was appealed to the city council by the developer.

Aldermen considered the issue at their November meeting, where an alternate proposal was presented. The alternate proposal would include two entrances onto West 12th Street and pedestrian connections to Camelot and South Durant. All present members of the council voted to send the new proposal to the Planning Commission for its consideration.

The new proposal with two street connections to West 12th Street was intended to be a solution to neighbors’ concerns. Conversely, city staff pushed for three connections at various points throughout the subdivision, citing the city’s grid street pattern and connectivity issues.

Ultimately, it was determined that two entrances on West 12th Street did not meet fire code requirements for emergency vehicle access.

In December, the Planning Commission again recommended the approval of the plat with the addition of the connection to Camelot Drive. That decision was appealed by the developer to the city council, which considered the matter last week.

On Jan. 16, aldermen unanimously approved an alternate proposal for the subdivision. That plat included two access roads on West 12th Street and access for emergency personnel at South Durant Avenue by means of grass pavers.

Grass pavers are specialized paving panels that allow for grass to grow, while providing stability to support heavy vehicles, such as fire trucks.

Fire Marshal Richard Setian said the grass paver access point would satisfy emergency vehicle access requirements and meet city code.